RUSSIAN INVESTMENTS IMPORTANT FACTOR IN ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ARMENIA, RF PREMIER STATES
ARKA
Dec 8, 2008
MOSCOW, December 8. /ARKA/. The Russian investments, which currently
total $1.6bln, are an important factor in the economic growth in
Armenia, RF Prime Minister Vladimir Putin stated at a briefing jointly
with his Armenian counterpart Tigran Sargsyan.
"Today we have addressed all the aspects of our cooperation in all
the fields. Of course, economic cooperation was the principal issue,"
Putin said. He said that experts point out good dynamics of bilateral
trade and economic ties, a steady increase in the bilateral trade –
17% last year.
Premier Putin welcomed the expanded activities of large Russian
companies, as well as some banks, in Armenia. Among them are Gasprom,
Inter RAO EES, Russian Railways Company, and VTB Bank.
He also pointed out good prospects for joint projects in such fields
as fuel and energy, nonferrous metallurgy, transport, construction,
construction, banking and information technologies.
Putin said that the further development of bilateral economic
relations is in the highlight of the Russian-Armenian Intergovernmental
Commission.
"During our talks we made a favorable appraisal of its activities,"
Putin said.
"On the other hand, we are well aware that the results are far from
being the limit for our countries and plan to develop our cooperation,"
he said.
"O f course, we also discussed the problems caused by the global
financial crisis, which in any way has impact on our countries,"
Putin said.
He stressed the Russian side’s satisfaction with the negotiations.
The RA Statistical Service reports that the Armenian-Russian trade
amounted to $866.2mln this January-October – an increase of 19.2%. The
Armenian exports to Russia totaled $187.4mln (19.9% of the country’s
total exports) – an annual increase of 18.6%.
The Armenian imports of Russian products totaled $678.9mln – an
increase of 20.2%. Armenia’s total imports from Russia reached
$521.7mln – an increase of 18.2% or 14.6% of Armenia’s total imports.
This January-October, Russia’s share in Armenia’s foreign trade
turnover reached 19.2% – the highest index among Armenia’s trade
partners.